Another problem was that Hitler’s image and ideas were unpopular in this period, decreasing the appeal of the Nazi party. Many people thought that he looked comical, and his appearance was often compared to that of Charlie Chaplin, because of his moustache. His voice was harsh, having been damaged by mustard gas in the First World War, and to many this made his speech seem crazed – although to some this made his words powerful, to others it seemed a sign of lunacy and instability. His racist ideas – that Aryans (white Europeans) were a master race and all other races (especially Jews) were inferior - were unpopular with many people, as there were many Jews in Germany and anti-Semitism did not always gain support.
The reputation of the Nazis and several of their policies also did not gain the support of many social classes. The middle class were more conservative and restrained, worried about revolution, associating law-breaking with the Nazis and finding Hitler too violent, and the lower and working classes supported socialism or communism. The Nazis were really seen as a small Bavarian party, only really having support in Munich, and lacking the funds to mount a proper campaign. In addition, it was commonly felt that if the party could not manage to take power in Munich, then they would not be successful in controlling the whole of Germany.
The success of the Weimar Republic between 1924 and 1929 was another important factor in the lack of success of the Nazis. This was mainly due to the work of the chancellor at that time, Gustav Streseman. He believed that Germany could regain its status by co-operating with other nations. Although many people criticised Streseman for this, he felt that by co-operating he would be more likely to eliminate the Treaty of Versailles. In 1924 under the leadership of Streseman, the Dawes plan was set up. This was an agreement between Germany, the USA, Britain, and France, which spread out the payment of reparations, allowing Germany to pay them only when it was able. The spare money that was gained from this was invested into new factories, and as this stabilised the German economy, America invested money into Germany. German economic growth at this time was faster than in Britain or France. In 1925 Streseman led Germany in the signing of the Locarno pact, in which France, Germany and Belgium agreed not to attack each other or change their borders. In 1926 he took Germany into the League of Nations, and in 1928 Streseman joined 60 other countries in signing the Kellogg-Briand pact, an agreement not to go to war with each other. This success made it very difficult for extreme parties such as the Nazis to get votes and seats in the Reichstag. The German people became better off, and were content with the system of the Weimar Republic, and so did not feel the need to vote for revolutionaries and extreme political solutions.
All of these factors were important in the lack of success of the Nazi party before 1930, but I think that the most important factor was the strength of the Weimar republic during the period. This meant that there was no need for extremist parties such as the Nazi party, and so it was very difficult for them to gain support, as their fundamental policies were not as relevant as they were later, when Germany was gripped by hyperinflation and unemployment.